WGBH | Kids with Asthma Can... Play, Learn, Sleep

Asthma is an alarming problem for kids in the greater Boston area. A study shows that nearly 10% of Massachusetts students kindergarten–eighth grade have been diagnosed with asthma. In several Boston schools, more than 30% of the students have the chronic disease.

WGBH is joining with Children's Hospital Boston, the Boston Public Health Commission, the Boston Children's Museum, and the Boston Public Library to launch an asthma management campaign called "Kids with Asthma Can..."

The campaign dispels some common myths about asthma, such as "kids with asthma can't play sports" or "kids should take asthma medication only when they are having an attack."

Kids with asthma can... play, learn, and sleep! Find out more:

Asthma Family Booklet
In English and Spanish, learn about asthma triggers, management, and community resources. You also get a storybook version of the Arthur episode called Buster's Breathless, in which Arthur's best friend learns to deal with his asthma. Pick one up at your local branch of the Boston Public Library.
"Buster Has Asthma" Play
See Arthur characters use drama and humor to talk about asthma in this interactive original play. Produced by the Boston Children's Museum in partnership with City Stage, this traveling play is being performed at the museum's theater and in some Boston neighborhoods.

Healthy Family Nights
Learn about health, nutrition, and effective asthma management at Healthy Family Nights, hosted by six neighborhood branches of the Boston Public Library. Featuring medical experts, educational resources, and activities, the free family events also feature a healthy meal as well as a performance of Buster Has Asthma, a new play that teaches kids about asthma. The first Healthy Family Night is being held Monday, Nov. 6, at the BPL's Connolly branch in Jamaica Plain. Additional events are being held at the Egleston Square (Dec. 6), Mattapan (Jan. 9), Codman Square (Jan. 25), Dudley (Feb. 22), and South End (March 6) branches. All events begin at 5:30pm.

All About Asthma
Find out more about asthma and its triggers, and get answers to commonly asked questions.

Asthma Bookmark
Get a campaign bookmark at your local Boston Public Library branch! The "Kids with Asthma Can..." campaign is also donating two asthma-themed children's books to each of the Boston Public Library's 27 branches.
Arthur: Buster's Breathless
WGBH is airing the Arthur episode in which Buster learns that he has asthma.